Golf glove having perforations

ABSTRACT

A golf glove is provided having inelastic material that defines a plurality of perforations having a diameter of less than about 2 mm spaced substantially throughout both a palmar side and a dorsal side of the glove. The perforations enhance dissipation of heat and moisture out of the glove.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to golf gloves and, moreparticularly, golf gloves having perforations disposed throughout asubstantial portion thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

During the course of a round of golf, a golfer takes dozens of swings,which could otherwise wear on the golfer's hand without a golf glove.Accordingly, golf gloves have long been an important accessory. Golfgloves are typically made of relatively inelastic material such asleather, to facilitate the golfer's tactile sensations. Leather alsoadds to the longevity and strength of the glove.

Although current gloves are generally effective, shortfalls exist. Forexample, during extended wear, typical glove often inhibit effectiveventilation, resulting in excessive sweating of the golfer's hand. Inaddition, a snug fit is important for proper functioning of the glove;however, typical gloves often sacrifice comfortable range of motion inexchange for a snug fit.

It should be appreciated that there remains a need for a golf glove thataddresses these concerns. The present invention fulfills this need andothers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general terms, the present invention provides a golf glove havinginelastic material that defines a plurality of perforations having adiameter of less than about 2 mm spaced substantially throughout both apalmar side and a dorsal side of the glove. The perforations enhancedissipation of heat and moisture out of the glove.

More specifically, and by way of example in an embodiment of theinvention, the glove includes a thumb portion defining a plurality ofperforations having a diameter of less than about 2 mm spacedsubstantially throughout. The thumb portion can further include a baseportion formed of an elastic material disposed about a base of theuser's thumb.

In a detailed aspect of an exemplary embodiment, the glove can furtherinclude elastic material section disposed in prescribed regions of theglove. For example, an ulnar portion formed of elastic material disposedover the third and fourth fingers of the user. The glove can include aradial portion formed of elastic material extending from a wrist end ofthe glove towards the index finger. A palmar side of the glove canincludes a wrist portion formed of elastic material disposed proximateto a wrist end of the glove.

In another detailed aspect of an exemplary embodiment, the palmar sideof the glove can have a first portion formed of an inelastic materialconfigured to be disposed over a palm and substantially all of thepalmar side of fingers of a user, the first portion. The dorsal side ofthe glove is coupled to the palmar side forming a cavity for receiving agolfer's hand. The dorsal side has a radial-edge portion formed of aninelastic material, extending from (a) a web region of the glove betweenthe index finger and the thumb of the user to (b) a radial side edgeproximal of the thumb. The thumb portion is formed of an inelasticmaterial, and a base portion formed of an elastic material disposedabout a base of the user's thumb, the base portion coupled to the thumbportion and the radial-edge portion. The base portion aids in glovecomfort.

For purposes of summarizing the invention and the advantages achievedover the prior art, certain advantages of the invention have beendescribed herein. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarilyall such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particularembodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the artwill recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in amanner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantagesas taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as maybe taught or suggested herein.

All of these embodiments are intended to be within the scope of theinvention herein disclosed. These and other embodiments of the presentinvention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art fromthe following detailed description of the preferred embodiments havingreference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited toany particular preferred embodiment disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a palmar perspective view of a golf glove in accordance withthe present invention, depicting micro-perforations definedsubstantially throughout.

FIG. 2 is a dorsal perspective view of a golf glove of FIG. 1, depictingmicro-perforations defined substantially throughout.

FIG. 3 is a radial side view of the golf glove of FIG. 1, depictingelastic material disposed about a base of a thumb portion.

FIG. 4 is an ulnar side view of the golf glove of FIG. 1, depictingelastic material along the dorsal side of third and fourth fingersportions.

FIG. 5 is a distal end view of the golf glove of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a proximal end view of the golf glove of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a close-up, cross-sectional view of needles configured to formperforations such as those of area A-A of the golf glove of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, there isshown a golf glove 10. The glove includes sections made of elasticmaterial and inelastic material, strategically positioned about theglove to enhance fit and performance. Sections of the inelastic materialdefine a plurality of perforations 12 spaced substantially throughoutthe glove. The perforations enhance dissipation of heat and moisture outof the glove. In addition, the spacing and alignment of the perforationsfacilities the glove's durability, so that tears do not spread unduly.

With reference now to FIG. 1, a palmar side 14 of the glove 10 is shown,having a palmar section 16 defining a palm region 18 and palmar sides(20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d) of the finger portions (22 a, 22 b, 22 c, 22d). The palmer section is formed of inelastic material havingperforations 12, as discussed above. The palmar section includes a thumbextension 24 disposed along a thumb web region. The palmer section isattached along its proximal end 26 to a wrist section 28 formed ofpadded elastic material. The wrist section has a width of about 8 mm,extending from an ulnar stitch line 30 to a radial side stitch line 32.

The palmer section 16 includes a proximal extension 34. The proximalextension is strategically positioned enhance durability and aid theuser in applying the glove. The proximal extension is positionedadjacent to the thumb pad and is directed to a wrist edge 36 of theglove. In use, the user can grasp the glove with his second hand at theproximal extension as he inserts his hand in the glove.

With reference to FIG. 2, a dorsal side 38 of the glove is shown, havinga dorsal section 40 and defining a slit 42. The slit extends from thewrist edge towards the knuckle region of the glove to aid the user inapplying the glove. The dorsal side further includes a strap 44 thatfastens across the slit to secure the glove in place when worn. In theexemplary embodiment, hook and loop material is used, however, otherfastening approaches can be used, as is known in the art.

The dorsal section 40 formed of inelastic material (e.g., leather,synthetic leather and other inelastic materials known in the art) havingperforations 12, as discussed above. The dorsal section covers asubstantial portion of the dorsal side of the hand, including the dorsalsides (46 a, 46 b) of the index and middle finger portions (22 a, 22 b).

The dorsal side 38 further includes two sections of elastic material, anulnar section 48, and a radial section 50. The ulnar section 48 coversthe dorsal sides of the little finger and the ring finger portions (46c, 46 d). The ulnar 48 section is coupled to the dorsal section 40 by anarcuate stitch line 52 that extends from a web region between the middlefinger section 22 b and the ring finger section 22 c to the ulnar sidestitch line 30. The radial section 50 extends from a wrist end 36 of theglove generally towards the index finger section 22 a. Moreparticularly, the radial section terminates along the radial side edge32 below the index finger section.

With reference to FIG. 3, the dorsal side 38 further includes aradial-edge section 54 of inelastic material disposed between the radialsection 50 and a thumb portion 56 of the glove. The radial-edge sectionhas an arcuate shape as it circumscribes the base of the thumb,providing stable support thereto. In the exemplary embodiment, theradial-edge portion extends from (a) a web region 58 of the glovebetween the index finger and the thumb of the user to (b) the radialside edge 32 b proximal of the thumb.

As best seen in FIGS. 3-5, the palmar side 14 and the dorsal side 38 areattached to each other along the ulnar side stitch line 30 and theradial side stitch lines 32 a, b. The ulnar side stitch line extendsubstantially the entire length of the glove 10 from the wrist edge 36to the tip of the little finger portion 22 d. The radial side stitchline 32 a extends along the index finger portion 22 a. The radial stitchline 32 b disposed in the wrist portion between the wrist end 36 and thethumb portion 56.

The thumb portion 56 includes a section 60 is primarily formed of asingle piece of inelastic material, e.g., leather or simulated leather.A stitch line 62 extends across the distal end of the thumb andproximally down a side of the thumb. The thumb section 58 is attached tothe palmar section 16 via a stitch line 64. The thumb section includes aplurality of perforations 12, as discussed above.

The thumb portion 56 further includes a thumb base portion 66 isattached to a proximal end of the thumb section between the thumbsection and the remaining dorsal side of the glove. The thumb baseportion is formed of elastic material, such as Lycra® material orSpandex® material available from E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company,or other material having elastic properties. In the exemplaryembodiment, the thumb base portion is attached to the thumb sectionalong stitch line 68.

The palmar side (20 a-d) of the four fingers and the dorsal side (44 a,b) of the index and middle fingers both define finger perforations 70.The finger perforations are disposed distal of the knuckle region of theglove. In the exemplary embodiment, the finger perforations are about2.5 mm in diameter. In other embodiments, finger perforations can beexcluded.

In an exemplary method of manufacture, the perforations are formed onthe inelastic material (e.g., leather, synthetic leather and otherinelastic materials known in the art) prior to assembly of the glove andcan be formed on the inelastic material prior to cutting sections foruse in the glove. The inelastic material is passed between a firstroller having a plurality of needles and a support structure. In theexemplary embodiment, the needles are pointed, closed end needles. Thus,the needles tend not to remove much of the inelastic material; rather,they tend to cause punctures in the materials. In other embodiments, theneedles include an open bore, which tend to remove prescribed amounts ofmaterial.

With reference now to FIG. 7, the needles 80 are spaced to formperforations in a manner to facilitate comfort and durability. Thespacing and alignment of the perforations facilities the glove'sdurability, so that tears do not spread unduly. The needles are lessthan about 2 mm in diameter and are preferably between about 1.5 mm and0.4 mm, and more preferably between about 1.3 mm and 0.8 mm. In theexemplary embodiment, the needles have a diameter (D_(p)) of about 1.06mm. The resulting perforations facilitate comfort of the glove, asopposed to larger perforations, which would be distracting and inhibitfeel of the club grip in the user's hand.

In exemplary embodiment, the needles 80 are vertically and horizontallyaligned, with a slight offset. Within each row, each needle ispreferably spaced apart between about 3 mm and 8 mm from adjacentneedles and, in the exemplary embodiment, the spacing (D_(r)) is about4.8 mm. The spacing between each row is preferably between about 2 mmand 6 mm and, in the exemplary embodiment, the spacing (D_(c)) is about3.5 mm. In addition, the needles are slightly offset with respect toadjacent rows, including a first distance (O_(f)) of about 2 mm asmeasured between a needle in an adjacent row and a second distance(O_(s)) as measured from a second side of a needle.

In other embodiments, the size and spacing of the perforations can vary.For example, other patterns for the perforations can be used and varyingspacing between the perforation in different regions of the glove. Inaddition, the perforations can have differing diameters and need not beuniform. In the exemplary embodiment, the support structure isconfigured as a second roller closely spaced from the first roller.

It should be appreciated from the foregoing that the present inventionprovides a golf glove having sections made of elastic material andinelastic material, strategically positioned about the glove to enhancefit and performance. Sections of the inelastic material define aplurality of perforations having a diameter of less than about 2 mmspaced substantially throughout both a palmar side and a dorsal side ofthe glove. The perforations enhance dissipation of heat and moisture outof the glove.

Although the invention has been disclosed in detail with reference onlyto the exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat various other embodiments can be provided without departing fromthe scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is defined onlyby the claims set forth below.

1. A golf glove, comprising: a palmar side having a first portion configured to be disposed over a user's palm, the first portion formed of an inelastic material and defining a plurality of perforations having a diameter of less than about 2 mm spaced substantially throughout the first portion; and a dorsal side coupled to the palmar side forming a cavity for receiving a user's hand, the dorsal side having a second portion formed of an inelastic material and defining a plurality of perforations having a diameter of less than about 2 mm spaced substantially throughout the second portion.
 2. A golf glove as defined in claim 1, further comprising a thumb portion circumscribing at least an upper portion of a thumb of the user, the thumb portion formed of an inelastic material and defining a plurality of perforations having a diameter of less than about 2 mm spaced substantially throughout the thumb portion.
 3. A golf glove as defined in claim 2, further comprising a base portion formed of an elastic material disposed about a base of the user's thumb and coupled to the thumb portion.
 4. A golf glove as defined in claim 1, wherein the dorsal side includes a radial portion formed of elastic material extending from a wrist end of the glove towards the index finger.
 5. A golf glove as defined in claim 1, wherein the palmar side includes a wrist portion formed of elastic material disposed proximate to a wrist end of the glove.
 6. A golf glove as defined in claim 1, wherein the inelastic material is formed of leather.
 7. A golf glove as defined in claim 1, further comprising side finger gussets coupled to the palmar side and the dorsal sides.
 8. A golf glove as defined in claim 7, wherein the side finger gussets exclude perforations.
 9. A golf glove, comprising: a palmar side having a first portion configured to be disposed over a palm and substantially all of the palmar side of fingers of a user, the first portion formed of a first material and defining a plurality of perforations having a diameter of less than about 2 mm spaced substantially throughout the first portion, the first portion extending to the tips of the fingers; a dorsal side coupled to the palmar side forming a cavity for receiving a golfer's hand, the dorsal side having a second portion formed of the first material and defining a plurality of perforations having a diameter of less than about 2 mm spaced substantially throughout the second portion; a thumb portion circumscribing at least an upper portion of a thumb of the user, the thumb portion formed of the first material and defining a plurality of perforations having a diameter of less than about 2 mm spaced substantially throughout the third portion, the thumb portion further including a fourth portion disposed about a base of the user's thumb and coupled to the third portion, the fourth portion formed of an elastic material.
 10. A golf glove as defined in claim 9, side finger gussets coupled to the palmar side and the dorsal sides.
 11. A golf glove as defined in claim 9, wherein the side finger gussets exclude perforations.
 12. A golf glove as defined in claim 9, wherein the dorsal side includes an ulnar portion formed of elastic material disposed over the third and fourth fingers of the user.
 13. A golf glove as defined in claim 9, wherein the dorsal side includes a radial portion formed of elastic material extending from a wrist end of the glove towards the index finger.
 14. A golf glove as defined in claim 9, wherein the palmar side includes a wrist portion formed of elastic material disposed proximate to a wrist end of the glove.
 15. A golf glove as defined in claim 10, wherein the first material is formed of inelastic material.
 16. A golf glove as defined in claim 15, wherein the first material is formed of leather.
 17. A golf glove, comprising: a palmar side having a first portion configured to be disposed over a palm and substantially all of the palmar side of fingers of a user, the first portion formed of an inelastic material; a dorsal side coupled to the palmar side forming a cavity for receiving a golfer's hand, the dorsal side having a radial-edge portion formed of an inelastic material, the radial-edge portion extending from (a) a web region of the glove between the index finger and the thumb of the user to (b) a radial side edge proximal of the thumb; a thumb portion formed of an inelastic material; and a base portion formed of an elastic material disposed about a base of the user's thumb, the base portion coupled to the thumb portion and the radial-edge portion.
 18. A golf glove as defined in claim 17, wherein the palmar side includes a wrist portion formed of elastic material disposed proximate to a wrist end of the glove.
 19. A golf glove as defined in claim 17, wherein the dorsal side includes a radial portion formed of elastic material extending from a wrist end of the glove towards an index finger of the glove, the radial portion coupled to the radial-edge portion. 